Travelling to Australia, best SIM for iPad?

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#895249 13-Sep-2013 14:29

I have no issue with handing over my passport however I had just walked 30 minutes into the city to OPTUS and didn't have it with me (didn't even think to take it with me). I was going to go back the next day but found the 7/11 had SIM's so just purchased one there.

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Satch

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#895250 13-Sep-2013 14:29

Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys. I would most probably try to pick something up at the airport if possible, but will make sure I have my passport on me whenever I go to get a SIM.

On a side note, how do they prevent tethering? Is this a physical block or just a T&C?

hariy1 - when you say it depends on the method of tethering, what do you mean?

hairy1

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#895255 13-Sep-2013 14:32

Android tethering works differently to Apple tethering and from what I gather the network operator cannot tell if an android device is tethering.

Apple have implemented tethering differently so the network operators can see apple devices tethering.

It is still against the TOS so expect to be nailed if you did tether....

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ajobbins

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#895271 13-Sep-2013 14:39

Satch: On a side note, how do they prevent tethering? Is this a physical block or just a T&C?

I always assumed it was just the APN setting, so the carrier would see you using their tethering APN and ping you that way. But not sure if you changed it if that would make it work under the radar, or if there was some other way they could tell.

Optus and Vodafone have stores at SYD T1, but Telstra do not.

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taneb1

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#895311 13-Sep-2013 15:30

My suggestion would be Vodafone - $2 for the Sim then $29 for 3GB of data which should be plenty for 5 days.
Easy to get the sim, staff in store are helpful and should get pretty decent coverage within Sydney - No issue with tethering and sessions rounded to 1KB rather than 1MB like other providers.

You can order the SIM online (I'm sure if you ring the Hotel they might hold the parcel) http://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/sim-cards/sim-cards/byo-tablet-or-modem?channel
Or get one in the Sydney Airport Store - X Xhttps://www.sydneyairport.com.au/relax/retailer-categories/retailer-listing/retailer-detail.aspx?ret=%7BD3CA9A9E-52F7-4DA6-A48E-A458118E8E9D%7D&ter=&cat=%7BBC59993A-E67A-4C12-913B-EA8DD44F4C76%7D

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ajobbins

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#895318 13-Sep-2013 15:42

I use Vodafone in my phone and I find them to be really good here in Melbourne, but can't comment on Sydney really (Has been fine the couple of times I have visited, tho)

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#895320 13-Sep-2013 15:47

Used VF in Sydney (mostly round the areas between Macquarie Park and Mosman) in January, and it was really good.

hairy1

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#895323 13-Sep-2013 15:51

Just out of interest, which prepaid plan on Vodafone has 3 gb for $29? I Can't find it...

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ajobbins

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#895325 13-Sep-2013 15:57

hairy1: Just out of interest, which prepaid plan on Vodafone has 3 gb for $29? I Can't find it...

http://shop.vodafone.com.au/all-broadbands?id=700016 and click on 'BYO Modem' tab

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MickeyD

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#895345 13-Sep-2013 16:24

Having just lived in Sydney for a year, I ended up going with Telstra for the iPad (3) because their network coverage was so much better. I have no personal experience with vodafone, but others were often having network coverage issues.

I started out on amaysim with their $29.95 4Gb plan, but the optus network coverage was pretty average where I lived and worked (Inner West). So I went with the Telstra sim instead, and coverage and network speeds were so much better (despite the higher cost).
Both amaysim and telstra will let you tether your other idevices, I didn't have any issue with either.

While in the CBD you'd probably be fine with who ever you go with, if it's reliability you're after I'd have to recommend Telstra.

tigercorp

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#895350 13-Sep-2013 16:44

Another vote for the Optus sim on the $2 a day unlimited everything plan.
I've had this sim for the past 2 years and am over there every couple of months and have never had problems tethering using the Galaxy Tab 7, 7.7, S3 and Sony Tipo.

Edit - now that I think about I do recall reading Whirlpool threads where the tethering was detected and they have disconnected the SIM. But I've gone through gigs per day and have never once had a problem.

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rphenix

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#895367 13-Sep-2013 17:18

ajobbins:
Satch:Thanks, but this is of no help to me.

I would like the ability to tether too.

Hmmm, be careful here. (iDevice) Tethering is often disabled on plans over here, and some plans that allow it will charge it outside of data packs.

Edit: Amaysim WILL allow you to tether on their data pack plans, but for iDevices you need to be able to send an SMS to have it enabled.

How can they even tell at the network level your tethering?

blakamin

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#895368 13-Sep-2013 17:18

ajobbins: 5GB sounds like a lot for a week. I struggle to use 1GB a month on my iPad. But if you are doing video or Skype I guess.

Amaysim have a 4GB data pack for $29.95, but the downside is all of their plans have 1MB rounding, so depending on how you use it, you may in fact get substantially less than that. Amaysim is a MVNO on the Optus network.

FWIW I use amaysim daily on the $39 unlimited calls, text, 4GB plan and haven't gone over 3 gig in a month yet so the rounding doesn't seem that bad. Usage includes streaming google play all access and downloading podcasts. They also have free social media.

I also use amaysim for my nexus 7. If you can sign up online, you can get a SIM nearly anywhere.

rphenix

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#895370 13-Sep-2013 17:22

rphenix:

How can they even tell at the network level your tethering?

Guessing they might inspect http traffic and look for user-agent perhaps?

alasta

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#895436 13-Sep-2013 19:55

I would strongly advise against using Optus. I have had extremely painful experiences with slow speeds, poor coverage, and extremely awkward processes to view your data usage. I definitely wouldn't use them again.

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